Ramonti looks doubtful for Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1) test

Dubai: Godolphin's Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1) hopes may have suffered a setback following reports that their quadruple Group 1 winner Ramonti may not be ready in time for the $5 million race on March 29.

The stable revealed that Ramonti is recovering from an infection to a hind leg that has held up his preparation for the big race in two weeks time.

Racing Manager Simon Crisford said on the Godolphin website: "It is a race against time but hopefully he will make it."

Winner

"He has a hind leg infection and we have had to give him a few easy days. If it goes the right way then we have a chance, but we will not be able to make a decision until next week."

Ramonti was campaigned exclusively in Group One company in 2007, where he reeled off impressive wins in the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr 1) at Royal Ascot, the Sussex Stakes (Gr 1) at Goodwood, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr 1) at Ascot and Hong Kong Cup (Gr 1) at Sha Tin.

Godolphin also reported that new recruit Happy Boy has shown signs of recovering from a leg infection and remains on target for the $6 million Dubai World Cup.

A facile winner of round one of the Maktoum Challenge on the first night of the 2008 Dubai International Racing Carnival, Happy Boy was subsequently purchased by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai.

A Group 2 winner on dirt in Brazil, as well as a Group Three winner on turf, Happy Boy won the Maktoum Challenge by nine lengths.

English bookmakers have priced him at 8-1 for the $6m Dubai World Cup (Gr 1) behind favourite Curlin.